Horse PAC clears $4M mark in total disbursements

By: Tom LaMarra

Horse PAC, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association’s bipartisan federal political action committee, has surpassed $4 million in support for federal political candidates since its inception in 2002, the NTRA reported.

As of Dec. 31, 2018, Horse PAC had disbursed $4,090,879 to federal candidates who serve on congressional committees that oversee livestock and agricultural issues, Internet gaming, taxation, immigration and the Interstate Horseracing Act; are established congressional leaders; understand horse racing’s issues; have racetracks, off-track betting facilities, advance deposit wagering systems, breeding farms, training centers and other equine venues in their districts; area members of the Congressional Horse Caucus; and are emerging leaders meriting early support.

“We thank the Horse PAC contributors and the Horse PAC Board of Directors for their support throughout the years,” Horse PAC President Alex Waldrop, Chief Executive Officer of the NTRA, said in a release. “The disbursing of over $4 million to more than 200 candidates has helped our industry maintain a strong presence in Washington, D.C., by building lasting relationships with our Congressional allies.”

According to the Horse PAC annual report, contributions in 2018 totaled $156,075, down from $211,845 in 2017. Disbursements for the 2017-18 election cycle were almost $400,000.

The political action committee supported 48 members of the United States Senate and House of Representatives, and 44 of them won seats in the election. Horse PAC disbursed funds to candidates in 18 states, including 42 running for House seats (22 Democrats and 20 Republicans) and six running for Senate seats (five Democrats and one Republican), according to the report.